Morning sunlight crept into Benjamin's house, landing directly onto the three idiots lying in a pile on one bed. Only one stirred.
Ivan.
His eyes opened slowly… then curved into a sinister smile.
**Ivan**: "Time to commit terrorism."
He slipped out of bed, snatched a sharpie, and returned like a goblin preparing a ritual.
With quiet villainy, he drew on Benjamin.
Then Clard.
Then stepped back to admire his masterpiece.
Moments later—
**Mother**: "WAKE UP, YOU THREE IDIOTS!!"
The three shot upright like startled raccoons.
Clard and Ivan immediately burst into laughter.
**Benjamin**: "Why are you laughing…?"
He blinked, innocent and clueless.
**Ivan & Clard**: "HAIL HITLER—HAHAHAHA!!"
Benjamin lunged to the mirror.
There it was:
A suspiciously accurate Hitler mustache and hair combo.
**Benjamin**: "WHO DID THIS?!"
He whirled around, furious—until he noticed Clard's face.
**Benjamin**: *"…No way."*
He started wheezing.
Clard tilted his head.
**Clard**: "Why are we laughing again?"
**Benjamin**: "LOOK AT THE MIRROR, BALD BRAIN."
Clard walked over, looked…
**Clard**: "JOHNNY SINS?!? WHY IS HE HERE—WAIT THAT'S ME?!"
Their faces snapped toward Ivan at the same time.
**Benjamin & Clard**: "IVAAAAAAAN!!!"
Ivan panicked.
**Ivan**: "I REGRET EVERYTHING—SOMEONE SAVE ME!!"
And then—
A blue portal tore open in the middle of Benjamin's room.
A man stepped out:
Dark blue hair, eyes glowing crimson and ice blue, wearing an outfit so clean he radiated "main character privileges."
**Ivan**: "MY SAVIOR!"
He dove forward and hugged the man's leg.
**Kenji**: "…Let go."
Not loud. Not angry.
Just enough aura to make the air crackle.
**Ivan**: "Y-Yes sir."
Kenji sighed and turned to the others.
**Kenji**: "I'm your guide sent by the Goddess. Name's Kenji. Nice to meet you three heroes."
He extended a hand.
**Benjamin**: "Name's Benjamin. The one clinging to your leg earlier is Ivan. The confused creature behind me is Clard."
**Kenji**: "…Are they always like this?"
**Benjamin**: *deep sigh* "Every. Day."
**Clard** (staring at the portal): "WHY IS THERE A HOLE IN THE WALL?!"
Still clueless.
Still Clard.
**Benjamin**: "We'll get ready for takeoff."
**Kenji**: "I'll wait here. Try not to break anything."
The trio left the room. After suspicious noises, footsteps, and the sound of someone tripping over a shoe, they returned fully geared.
**Kenji**: "YOU THREE READY FOR TAKEOFF?!"
**Benjamin, Ivan, & Clard**: "YES SIR!"
**Ivan**: "Benjamin, did you say goodbye to your mom?"
**Benjamin**: "Left a note on the fridge. You?"
**Ivan**: "Same. What about you, Cl—"
He turned.
Clard was already walking into the portal.
**Benjamin & Ivan**: "CLARD—WAIT—"
Clard didn't hear a thing.
The two sighed and followed.
Kenji stepped behind them, smirking.
**Kenji**: "Alright. Let the adventure begin."
The portal closed with a brilliant flash of blue.
**End of Chapter 19**